Morris d



(No Model.)

M. D. WILLIAMS.

I HEEL PLATE. No. 256,939. Patented Apr.25,1882.

Q 1 767774 Wlakawzd,

UNITED STATES PATENT Orricu.

MORRIS D. WILLIAMS, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HEEL-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 256,939, dated April 25, 1882.

\ Application filed September 14, 1881.' (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS D. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Plates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being bad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon. Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of my improved heebplate; and Fig.2 is a sectional view of a portion of a boot or shoe upper and the heel, showing the application of my invention.

The present invention has relation to that class of metal heel plates adapted to pass around the sides of the heel of boots or shoes, the edge of said plates coming flush with the underside or tread of the heel to preventwearing thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, convenient, and practical heel-plate, that can be readily applied to either new or worn-out heels, and will he light and easy to the wearer. .These objects I attain by the construction substantially as shown in the drawings, and hereinafter described.

' In the accompanying drawings, A repre sents my improved heel-plate, and B a boot orshoe heel, showing the plate connected there" to. The plate A is stamped or pressed out of suitable metal,and, if desired, the outer surface or exterior of the plate maybe of concave form to the degree desired to conform to a fashionable or latest style of heel. This plate A, as will be noticed, only passes around the outer portion of the heel, and may be secured thereto by screws b passing-through holes 0 injthe plate, and therefore is dissimilar to the plates heretofore 'referred to that pass completely around the heel, forming a continuous The open plate A can be expanded or contracted to meet the small variations in the size of difl'erentheels, and iscapableof being manufactured at a trifling cost. The plate A is formed at its lower edge with a flaring or wide bearing-surface, a, and fromthispoint upshould be of sufficient thickness to prevent too rapid wear; but it is not-necessary to have the plate of such thickness throughout its width, and therefore the same is made of the form shown, thereby economizing in the use of material, rendering it lighter, and consequently easier to the wearer, without in the least affecting its utility, and enabling it to be manufactured at a greatly-reduced cost. The plate A at its upper surface being very thin, it perfectly fits to the heel of new boots or shoes directly under the 'upper, thereby forming a neat appearance, without the necessity of cutting away the leather of the heel. The plate is also applicable to oldor worn-out heels, as it passes around or encircles the outer portion thereof, thus giving a uniform appearance to the heel, as well as a uniform tread or wearing-snrface.

I do not desire to be understood as claiming broadly a heel plate or band formed of spring-steel, and having an opening between the ends to adapt it to be sprung around the heel and held thereon by its contractile action, as I am aware that such construction is not now. These plates or hands pass around the entire heel, otherwise the spring of the metal would not retain it in position on the heel,-whereas my plate is not required to be made of spring metal, and is not in like manner connected to the heel, but fastened by screws, as hereinbefore described, and the special form or taper of the plate is considered of.

great importance both in practicability and cheapness.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Theheel-plate A, of U shape form, and adapted to pass around the outer surface of the heel, said plate at itslower edge having a flaring or wide hearing-surface,'a, and decreasing in thickness therefrom to its upper edge, and provided with holes 0 for connecting it to the peel, substantially as and for the purpose set orth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

MORRIS D. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

MORTIMER D. FIELD, E. A. Bonuoum. 

